Appointments

We offer routine, semi-urgent, and same-day (urgent) appointments to help meet your needs.
 
Appointments can be held by telephone or in person, depending on your preference and the nature of your problem.
 
You may be offered an appointment at either our Kegworth or Gotham surgery, depending on availability and preference. Our clinical and reception teams work closely across both sites.

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📞 How to Book
 
You can book appointments in several ways:

Online or self-booking links:
 Certain services (such as First Contact Physiotherapy) are available for direct booking via the NHS App or SystmOnline.

 You may also receive self-booking links by text message for suitable appointment types.
 
>⏰If you think your issue is urgent and needs to be seen today, please call as early in the morning as possible.
 

 By phone: 
   Kegworth: 01509 672419
   Gotham: 0115 983 0011
   (Lines open Monday–Friday, 8:00am–6:30pm)
 

 In person:
  Visit reception at either surgery during opening hours.

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💬 Speaking to Our Reception Team
 
When you contact the surgery, our receptionists will ask about the nature of your problem. 
This information helps ensure:
You’re seen by the most appropriate clinician
Your issue is dealt with in the right timeframe
You’re offered the right type of appointment
 
Our receptionists are trained to handle all information sensitively and confidentially.

Routine Appointments
 
For ongoing, non-urgent issues or general health concerns.
These can be by telephone or face-to-face, depending on your preference and clinical suitability.
 
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 Semi-Urgent Appointments
 
For issues that can’t wait long, but are not urgent.
Our reception team will help you find the next available suitable slot, often within a few days.
 
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 Same-Day (Urgent) Appointments
 
For problems that need assessment today.
These are usually arranged after a brief discussion with our reception team.
 
> 🔸 Please call early in the day for urgent issues to maximise availability.
 
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 Nurse Appointments
 
Our nursing team provides a wide range of services including, but not limited to:
 
Cervical screening (smears)
Vaccinations and immunisations
Wound care and dressings
Health checks and chronic disease monitoring
 
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 Long-Term Condition Reviews
 
If you live with a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes, or hypertension, you’ll receive a message with booking links for your annual review.
 
These are often timed around your birth month to make it easier to remember.
 
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 Health Care Assistant (HCA) Appointments – Blood Tests
 
Our HCAs offer blood tests (phlebotomy) only when requested by an Orchard Surgery clinician or for patients undergoing hospital chemotherapy.
 
If your blood test has been requested by a hospital consultant or private provider, please attend:
 
 The hospital phlebotomy department, or
 The private provider who made the request
 
> ⚠️ We do not perform blood tests requested by private providers.

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First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) Appointments – Age 16+

Our FCP can assess, diagnose, and advise on a wide range of muscle, joint, and bone problems such as back pain, neck pain, or sports injuries, without the need to see a GP first.

They provide expert advice, exercises, and referrals if needed.

You can book a First Contact Physiotherapist appointment online using the NHS App or SystmOnline.

Each appointment is for one problem only.

This helps our clinicians manage time effectively and ensures you receive safe, focused care.

 If you need to discuss more than one issue, please (within reason) request a double appointment when booking.

We encourage you to use our online options for rationally and appropriately.
 
Admin Queries
 
For non-medical matters such as fit notes, letters, or forms, please use our secure admin form:
🔗 Submit an Admin Query

 
Online Medical Queries
 
For non-urgent medical issues, please submit your query online here:
🔗 Submit a Medical Query

Include as much detail as possible in the form to help our clinicians assess your concern efficiently.
 
You’ll receive an outcome by the end of the working day, which may include:
  Medical advice
  A prescription
A self-booking link for a suitable appointment
Or signposting to another service (e.g. pharmacy, Urgent Care, or A&E)

Before booking an appointment, please consider self-help or Pharmacy First for minor conditions, such as:
 – Earache
– Impetigo
– Infected insect bites
– Shingles
– Sinusitis
– Sore throat
– Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
 
Your local pharmacy can provide expert advice and treatment without seeing a GP – often faster and more convenient.
 
> ⚕️ Using NHS services wisely ensures appointments remain available for those with more complex or serious needs.

Our friendly reception and clinical teams are committed to providing high-quality, accessible care.

Please let us know if you:

 – Need an interpreter
– Require accessibility support
– Would like a chaperone present